SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

I have noticed some unhappiness amongst some posters with the recent changes on this site.
Let me begin with saying I’m not in the loop as to what’s being changed, why and how, but based on my experience in IT and EBS implementation I can guesstimate why MangledHeart (MH) is making all these changes.

Web-sites, forums and such are created using some underlying platform. These platforms offer varying levels of services, features and support. It’s my guess that MH selected a platform back in the early days and built SI on that platform. Since then we don’t know how that platform has developed or even if it’s still supported. The IT graveyard is full of great products that were merged, updated, sold or simply didn’t survive the competition or stand up to ever-changing requirements. I’m fairly certain that the change is mainly driven by an impending need to change the very base the site was developed on/for. I can also share that changing an active ongoing site like this can maybe best be compared to open-heart surgery. Frankly – I’m in awe at how smoothly and how well the transmission is going.

Then there is this pesky thing called the "future". Way back when this site was created today was the future. I don’t think anyone could have guessed the number of members, the number of posts, amount of data, interaction, access-needs, bandwidth, databases… this site would need and consume. I’m also guesstimating that the change is due to updates in databases, access, security requirements…

When making major changes like the ones being done here it’s inevitable that some things don’t go as planned, or things need tweaking and adjusting. I’m amazed how MH had managed this (probably or mostly) single-handedly considering this is a volunteer site with no paid staff. Changes like this usually require a team of people with demands being defined, programing, testing, fixing, testing, implementing, testing and fixing.

I also see that since the switch-over changes have been made. In typical fashion I see that the layout has "tightened up" a bit and is becoming crisper and cleaner than it was first after the change. Small ticks and nibbles are also clearing up and/or disappearing.

I encourage all posters to be patient with the changes and appreciate the effort being placed in the implementation. The smaller bugs will go, there is already more leeway in templates, font-size and such from the old site and several other new features. After a week of the new site I’m already appreciating it more than the old one – despite experiencing some quirky behavior every now and then. The old site had over a decade to be stable, let’s give this one a few months…

If you do have real bugs there is a forum (survivinginfidelity dot net) where you can let MH know of them. You can also ask for new features. Just remember that (once again guesstimating…) bugs are prioritized, some "bugs" are permanent features and that there is only one MH.

Finally: If you can’t appreciate what’s being done and think this is a reason to leave SI:
This isn’t an airport.
You don’t have to announce departures.

It hasn't been difficult for me...and I am by no means a tech person...at work I call my tech peeps ALOT!!
Forge ahead we will survive!

I am NOT an IT person but my last job I was the top user who tested, and recommended changes to the site our teams used to monitor, and follow patients.
I understand the depth and number of hours it can take to create simple changes, and that coding can be a real bitch sometimes. I also understand the importance of feedback.

"It doesn't work" or "I don't like it" helps no one. However if you have something more meaningful to suggest, the things you don't like and what would make it better, would be extremely helpful, and NO that does not mean put it back the way it was. Everything has to change and evolve. It's just part of life. All of us here have experienced great change. So please be kind and think about how you would like it to work. These things can help make it great.

Well said. I live with someone who is still lamenting the demise of Windows 3.1.

Change is necessary for many reasons in technology. We'll get there. Or we'll use the legacy site as long as possible.

This is still the best organized and navigable site I've ever used. And well moderated.

Thanks MH!

Ok. Duplicate post because I was posting using the legacy site. I got an error message and tried again. Turns out, it posted twice in the new site.

We'll get there.

[This message edited by Lionne at 2:37 PM, Monday, August 16th]

"It doesn't work" or "I don't like it" helps no one.

How does the "it doesnt work" not help? The new site got launched that one day and i was locked out of the forums, my profile etc. None of the links worked.

For those not tech savvy the changes can be frustrating.

Is it dot net or dot com? I was on the net version. But new site is com. Still confused over that one. Posting while on dot com now but new site...

This site doesn't keep me logged in like the legacy site does.

I may not be up to date on computer tech anymore but i did coding with my kids last year and i know how complicated it all is. I do appreciate all MH does.

This version does fit my mobile screen better although i agree with the one suggestion someone made about the grey background and grey text in the reply box. Its difficult to see for those of us with older eyes.

Old timer here.

Yes, change is difficult and it took me a bit to navigate the new look/feel. Doing much better; practice makes perfect!

It's okay to be displeased and to note the issues, but there's no need to get totally incensed by it - some of the comments in the other thread were not kind.

Be kind.

some of the comments in the other thread were not kind.

Oh i didnt realize. I hope if i poated nothing i aaid was seen as upsetting. I habe had such brain fog since getting my shot ans getting sick i don't even know what ive posted lol.

I do agree with what Bigger saod about making grand departure statements. See that alot on some other sites i have been on, groups i was in and its annoying. Lol.

Oops duplicate

[This message edited by DragnHeart at 12:15 PM, August 16th (Monday)]

Duplicate.

[This message edited by DragnHeart at 12:16 PM, August 16th (Monday)]

Duplicate

[This message edited by DragnHeart at 12:16 PM, August 16th (Monday)]

The reason I started this thread was the post in JFO where a poster with all of 4 posts and 4 months on SI "constructively" calls the new interface awful and demands it be changed back. Followed by a number of posts that – amongst other claims – state that "whoever did this ruined this site". I think this just simply is both offensive to MH and not in any way constructive.
Not to mention starting this is JFO – the ER of SI with limited "beds" on page 1. We should focus on JFO infidelity, not JFO that the site has changed.

There is a forum – and has been for quite some time – where you can post your questions, suggestions and complaints.

Thank you for posting this Bigger. I wasn't aware of the thread in JFO. I have been following the threads in the SI.Net forum and covering issues as they are brought to my attention. Fortunately some of the feedback is helpful and describe the problems being encountered. I can fix issues if they are properly articulated. I skip over the negative comments that offer no constructive criticism.

The legacy website was written 20 years ago. The technology it was written on is dead. Many simply don't understand what it takes to operate a website and the planning for its future existence. One day the website will crash and a new server will be necessary. Waiting for the day that servers no longer support the 20 year old technology is not an option. I will forge ahead with the purpose of keeping SI available to those who need it.

I started building this new website when the pandemic hit. I spent the last 17 months getting this ready for launch. I am very happy to finally make it live, regardless of the complaints. I can overcome negative feedback. I get that stuff all the time. I'll be banning the ones that hurt my feelings. (just kidding. I have no feelings)

I love the new format and THANK YOU very much for all your hard work!

I'll be banning the ones that hurt my feelings. (just kidding. I have no feelings)

LOL.

Thank you so much for everything you do to keep this site active and functional for each of us. Your efforts are truly appreciated!

I gotta admit... it's going to take a bit of getting used to! But I'm willing to give it the old college try! I mean, if you don't change and grow, you're not living.

While it is definitely a change, I am so grateful to this site and the people who keep coming back and offering support.

Thank you from the bottom of my m💜

There is so much going on in the world right now. Spread kindness. Show gratitude.

I haven't been on the site in quite a while and was really pleased to see the new updated format. Look and feel is really good - decent navigation on my laptop (haven't tried on my phone yet) and seems like MH worked hard to hold on to some aspects of the legacy "feel" if you will for the best of both worlds. Always some bugs and kinks to work out with a new launch - provide constructive feedback and I'm sure it will be addressed.

Nice job MH! Thank you for all that you do for this group!

[This message edited by persevere at 5:46 PM, Friday, August 20th]

Happy Friday Everyone!!!!

I gotta say now that I've been using the site this week, I love it.

It is easy to navigate. Doesn't freeze, and makes sense.

The only thing I don't like is it doesn't autoscroll when you are posting when you get to the bottom of the screen it doesn't automatically roll so you can see what you are typing, and after you are done, you have to manually scroll down to see the post buttons. This is Chrome.

Otherwise it's great.

[This message edited by tushnurse at 10:25 PM, Friday, August 20th]

It looks like the bugs/suggestion forum has been removed or is now hidden so I'll add something here. With the normal skin and the latest styling I find the blue text, etc. giving much better contrast and is easier to read. What would be an enhancement is styling the thread starter name in a different color (e.g. the dark red) to make it easier to distinguish their posts in the thread. I usually read all the post, but sometimes it would be helpful to easily see the starters posts. You may also want to style the mods, guides and admin post names with their own styles to make them more identifiable.

The other thing I noticed is the light bulbs to indicate new posts appear to only show up if you keep the browser open when I close the browser/shut the machine down and come back they do not show up. I believe in the previous SI version the threads with new content could be identified by a style change in the topic name not just the color of the hearts at the top level forum selection page.

Finally it does not look like the times of the thread posts, etc. are getting shifted to the users time zone. That would also be helpful in identifying new content since you would only have to remember the last time you logged in not the time then shifted to the SI servers time.